Posted by Kelly Dwyer

Over the last few days I've heard some rumblings from hoop fans wondering why Andrei Kirilenko's translated-batch of unhappy vibes is receiving as much attention as it has.

Yeah, it's been a slow NBA summer (for transactions, at least), and at this point the junkies will glom onto any news they can get as we await media day and the prospect of Kevin Durant and Luke Ridnour having to awkwardly film a promo for a "Ten Game Ticket Power Pack." The abject lack of serviceable fodder and the idea of a trade demand - which reminds us of a simpler time, when unhappy players featuring max contracts could shoot the breeze with alarming alacrity - does play a role in the AK-mania.

But there's something more to it. There has to be. There is, from this end, at least.

This guy can play. Anyone who's watched Kirilenko over the years knows that this is a special basketball player, you might not want to build a team around him in theory, but it wouldn't be a bad option if you tried. From his jaw-dropping European championships lines, to the memories of five-by-fives gone by, this is a man who (in just a few years) has already made us nostalgic for the "old" Andrei Kirilenko. Andrei Kirilenko, of course, is 26-years old. Things spin quickly, 'round these parts.

I know Henry linked to this page yesterday, but it's worth another look. The math is sound. For those of us who got the bug watching Kirilenko during the 2000 Olympics, and grew smitten watching him dash across the court for the Jazz from 2001 until 2006, last year was a real pain. Yeah, the Jazz were winning, but their pick-and-roll machinations were too orthodox, and Kirilenko's attempts at playing small forward were frustrating to behold.

(And, believe me; I have reason to want to see him slide. Live-blogging the 1999 Draft - yeah, I did that back then - I wondered aloud if Kirilenko could be "the next Martin Muursepp." There's still time to make me look good, even if AK looks bad)

It's this spark, this batch of "remember when," that spurred the comments page on yesterday's AK post to run for two pages. I didn't read more than the first few, I knew I had a Kirilenko post in me today and didn't want to go in with preconceived notions that I was ripping off someone else's trade proposals, but you can see why this goes beyond the usual September doldrums.

We want AK back. We want him playing power forward, and we want him on a running team. We don't want him having to chuck up a 3-pointer at the end of a possession just because the shot clock has run down and somebody took the middle away from Carlos Boozer.

So, if you'll indulge me, and if Kevin O'Connor has a heart ...

AK to Golden State, for Al Harrington and Sarunas Jasikevicius

This isn't a fair trade for the Jazz, but I can totally see this as the sort of deal they'd make. Harrington's just that sort of overrated, orthodox plugger that the Jazz could throw right into that small forward slot in spite of anecdotal evidence (that probably isn't to be believed) that he's better suited for power forward.

He's not really suited for either position, he's not quite suited for more than 30 minutes a game; but Harrington has made a career out of deceiving people into believing he's a lot better than he is. Harrington can't rebound, but he can score without needing the ball when he wants to, and the Jazz already dominate the glass with or without Kirilenko. Jasikevicius can shoot, play either backcourt position, and essentially act as a better version of Derek Fisher.

Why wouldn't the deal go down? Golden State has made a point of limiting payroll bumps; and after this summer, it has become obvious that the Basketball Gods are angry with us, and they won't let us see Kirilenko dashing up and down the court with everybody's favorite Bay Area nutters.

AK to the Los Angeles Lakers, for Lamar Odom

Just about every max-player trade involves smaller parts being thrown in on both sides, and I see no reason why either team should add to this deal. No need for Sasha Vujacic to head to the Jazz, or for Utah to needlessly throw in a stud like Paul Millsap or Ronnie Brewer. In the Triangle, the holes in Luke Walton's head can be filled with the bumps in Kirilenko's; both can work at the apex, finding cutters and seeing the floor, and we know Tex Winter thinks the world of AK.

Problem is, Mitch Kupchak has never shown much interest in acquiring players fit for the offense that the Lakers have run since 1999. Odom can ably play small forward for the Jazz, and he shouldn't have any problem with the usual silly Salt Lake City-stereotypes once he's winning 60 games and on the road for half the year.

AK and Jarron Collins to Phoenix, for Shawn Marion

This one has been bandied about since last winter, but it bears mentioning that the Suns should much prefer paying Kirilenko's price for four years over paying (I didn't say "overpaying") Marion for two years and then having to extend his deal.

That said, as John Hollinger pointed out in Chad Ford's podcast yesterday, I'd be pretty nervous breaking up what could be a championship team for a player that would merely seem to fit in the system. Remember, Marion consistently nails that spot-up 3-pointer - in transition or in the half-court. As much fun it would be to see AK start (and sometimes finish) the break for Nash and the Suns, we have to remember that the always-underrated Marion already fills that role quite nicely.

AK to Sacramento, Mike Bibby and Francisco Garcia to the Los Angeles Clippers, Corey Maggette and Tim Thomas to Utah

The genesis of this deal was cribbed from Sactown Royalty poster "HrdRockTroy," and I took the liberty of adding wing depth to the Clippers and outside shooting to the Jazz in the form of Tim Thomas. Sure it leaves the Kings without a point guard, but they can always trade for Jason Williams' expiring contract in an attempt to at least lose 55 games in a more entertaining fashion.

AK and Paul Millsap to Chicago for Ben Wallace

This is assuming, of course, that Wallace shows up at training camp with headbands covering every square inch of his body. Chicago might have the league's most crowded - and, potentially, most-talented - frontcourt, so it only makes sense to add two more forwards who can do everything but shoot.

AK and Jarron Collins to Washington for Antawn Jamison

Feel like running, Washington? Here's the start of your fast-break. Feel like playing a little defense, Washington? Not really? Ok, take it easy, continue apace, but Andrei's going to go ahead and give it a try. Feel like having a power forward that hits the movers from the top of the key for easy baskets in Eddie Jordan's offense? Don't want that power forward to be Darius Songaila? Here's your chance.

UPDATE: Henry's proposal, probably the best of any bunch, can be found at the bottom of this post.

UPDATE: From reader Jonathan:

Scuttlebutt on a few Jazz message boards from Russian posters is that AK wants to stay in Russia. There is talk of him "Fishering" (a la Derek Fisher) his contract - that is tearing the thing up and heading back to CSKA where he is happy. This was translated from another blog post of AK by Serge on Jazzhoops.com:

"With Utah GM Kevin O'Connor I talked even before eurochamp, so please don't match my desire to leave Utah with our victory in the tournament in Spain. After not succesfull for me season I understood that I can't grow (be progressive) in Utah. Jerry Sloan is supercoach, who led Jazz to the NBA finals several times. Yet our understanding regarding basketball differs. I want to be occupied with the work I love and get pleasure of the game. And for the same feeling that I experienced in the NT last week there is a reason to come back and play in Russia. For russian fans. It is totally differnt emotions and feelings."